College GameDay
Encyclopedia
College GameDay is an ESPN entertainment show previewing college football
games. It first aired in 1987 with Tim Brando
as host and Lee Corso
and Beano Cook
as commentators. Beginning more-or-less as a report on college football games, the show would undergo a radical transformation beginning in 1993 as the show began incorporating "live" broadcasts. The official name of the show is College GameDay built by The Home Depot
. There is a separate radio broadcast, ESPN Radio College GameDay
, on ESPN Radio
.
Today, the only original cast member remaining is Lee Corso. Chris Fowler
serves as host and Kirk Herbstreit
, former Ohio State
quarterback
, serves as Corso's counterpart and foil
. Starting in 2008, Desmond Howard
has been added to the cast in the show's introduction. Craig James, currently providing analysis on ESPN Thursday Night games and on ABC's Saturday afternoon games
, was on the show in the mid 1990s. Nick Lachey
joined the crew as a contributor during the 2005 season. Erin Andrews
joined the GameDay crew as a co-host and contributor in 2010.
The show is known for its prediction segment that appears on each broadcast. Typically there are three predictors: Corso, Herbstreit and an invited guest, usually a celebrity
, prominent athlete, or radio personality associated with the host university or school for that week. The end of the show always concludes with a catch phrase and prediction from Corso, who subsequently dons the mascot's headgear of the school he predicts to win the game, usually to the ire or excitement of local fans.
As of Season 24 (2010), College GameDay is now aired for 3 hours. The first hour of the show is broadcast from ESPNU
at 9am ET, with the 2 remaining hours of the show on ESPN
from 10am-noon ET.
College GameDay kicked off its 25th season from Arlington, Texas
on September 3, 2011.
, GameDay began broadcasting live from outside a stadium hosting a game most Saturdays. The selected stadium is usually hosting one of the biggest matchups of the day, regardless of whether the game airs on an ESPN network. The first show "on the road" took place at South Bend, Indiana
for the match up between #2 Notre Dame and #1 FSU
. The show takes on a festive tailgate party
atmosphere, as thousands of fans gather behind the broadcast set, in view of the show's cameras. Many fans bring flags or hand-painted signs as well, and the school's cheerleaders and mascot
s often join in the celebration. Crowds at GameDay tapings are known to be quite boisterous and very spirited. Flags seen at the broadcast are not limited to those of the home team; for example, one large Washington State
flag can be seen at every broadcast, regardless of the location or the teams involved. The idea began in 2003 on WSU online fan forums and has resulted in the flag being present at more than 95 consecutive GameDay broadcasts.
The show's current intro and theme music is performed by country music
duo Big & Rich
, who perform their 2005
crossover
hit "Comin' to Your City" with revised lyrics that mention several top college teams and a guest appearance by Cowboy Troy
. Additional music that has been used for the show include "Boom
" by the rock group P.O.D.
Typically, the show will end with Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit issuing their predictions for that day's key matchups, finishing with the game to be played at the stadium hosting GameDay, for which Corso signifies his prediction by donning the head piece of the mascot
of his predicted winner. Starting with the 2009 season, a celebrity guest picker will give picks for the day's key games alongside the GameDay regulars (such as Bob Knight when GameDay aired from Texas Tech
in 2008). Prior to 2009, this was not done on a regular basis.
In past years, when no suitably important game is available, it will originate instead from the ESPN studios. (Herbstreit, who in 2006 became a game analyst for ABC
's Saturday Night Football, is not allowed to make a pick for the game at which he is assigned due to parent company Disney
's conflict of interest
rules; however, he is allowed to give one or two keys to the game.)
College GameDay was also a source for many arguments regarding the purported east coast bias
: From 1993 until 2004, GameDay had only been to two regular season games on the entire West Coast (1998 at UCLA and 2000 at Oregon
). Given the popularity of the show and the media coverage it brought to the highlighted game, teams and fans of the West Coast teams felt that the show was only magnifying the perceived problems with excess media focus on East, South and Midwest games; ESPN attributed its lack of West Coast games to the need for a very early start time (07:00 AM PST) and an alleged lack of high quality matchups.
With the addition of the Saturday Night Football game on ABC in 2006, GameDay has increasingly aired from that game. This could be done for many reasons including the fact Kirk Herbstreit
is on both programs, thus making it easier for him. Another reason could be to give the Saturday Night Football game added exposure.
Beginning with the show's 21st season (2007), College GameDay began broadcasting in high-definition
on ESPN HD.
College GameDay expanded to 3 hours, with the first hour being televised on ESPNU
beginning September 4, 2010. In addition, ESPN Radio
simulcasts the television version from 9am-noon ET. Other changes include Erin Andrews
being added as a contributor, anchoring several segments during the first hour on ESPNU, and contributing during the ESPN portion. Andrews also works as a sideline reporter on the game from which College GameDay will originate from, if the game airs on 1 of the ESPN family of networks (i.e. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ABC).
All game-time rankings are ESPN/USA Today (Coaches Poll). If a listing is blank, that week's show originated at the ESPN studios. Ohio State has hosted 13 College GameDay broadcasts, the most ever, with a record of 10-3. Florida has hosted the second most, having hosted 11 College GameDay shows (7-4). Alabama has hosted 10 shows (3-7), the first three of which were in Birmingham. Michigan is also tied for 3rd most appearances with 10 (7-3). The Gators have appeared in the on-site game the most times 32 (21-11). Ohio State (28) is second in on-site appearances. Florida versus Florida State has been the most-covered matchup, being covered 8 times - 5 times in Gainesville, 2 in Tallahassee, and 1 in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.
Through the end of the 2010 football and the announced 2011-2012 basketball seasons, 26 schools (Arizona, Boston College, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Kansas State, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, North Carolina State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Tennessee, Texas, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Wisconsin) have hosted College GameDay for both basketball and football events.
Only Texas (08-09 and 05-06), Kansas (07-08), Ohio State (twice in 06-07), and Oklahoma State (04-05) have appeared on both versions of College Gameday in the same season (although LSU and Michigan State hosted both in the 2007 and 2011 calendar years, respectively). Florida State will join this elite group in 2011-2012, as College Gameday visits the Seminoles football game against Oklahoma, and is scheduled to visit on January 14, 2012, when FSU plays host to UNC in basketball.
made a reference to the oversized head cutout of former ESPN broadcaster (and current host of a well-listened-to national radio show) Dan Patrick
that was visible within the crowd behind the broadcast set. Host Chris Fowler proceeded to laugh nervously then quickly change the subject, as Dan Patrick has been involved in an ongoing dispute with ESPN since leaving the network. Following the College GameDay broadcast of Texas vs. Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl
two weeks later, Patrick reported on his radio show that fans had been turned away by security if they had signs or cutouts that featured obvious references to him or The Dan Patrick Show. Despite these restrictions, attendees in Dallas were able to bring in a sign that read "Chris in Syracuse", a reference to a listener who calls into the show daily. Patrick has dubbed the movement "Occupy GameDay" - after the Occupy Wall Street
protests that have spread across the nation in recent weeks, and claims that he and the Danettes "do not encourage it, but we do celebrate it." Occupy Gameday is still ongoing as of November 26, 2011 and some "occupy gameday" signs are hanging in Patrick's Mancave, where his radio show is produced in Milford, Connecticut.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
games. It first aired in 1987 with Tim Brando
Tim Brando
Tim Brando is a radio host and CBS Sports studio host and play-by-play announcer.-Biography:...
as host and Lee Corso
Lee Corso
Leland "Lee" Corso is a sports broadcaster and football analyst for ESPN. He has been featured on ESPN's College GameDay program since its inception and he appeared annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football through NCAA Football 11...
and Beano Cook
Beano Cook
Carroll Hoff "Beano" Cook is an American television personality who works for ESPN. He is a college football historian and commentator. He received his B.A...
as commentators. Beginning more-or-less as a report on college football games, the show would undergo a radical transformation beginning in 1993 as the show began incorporating "live" broadcasts. The official name of the show is College GameDay built by The Home Depot
The Home Depot
The Home Depot is an American retailer of home improvement and construction products and services.The Home Depot operates 2,248 big-box format stores across the United States , Canada , Mexico and China, with a 12-store chain...
. There is a separate radio broadcast, ESPN Radio College GameDay
ESPN Radio College GameDay
ESPN Radio College Gameday is a day-long talk radio show on ESPN Radio covering the day's college football games. It is heard every Saturday during the season from noon until 7 p.m. ET. Some programs originate from the ESPN studios in Bristol, Connecticut; others are on location from game sites,...
, on ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
.
Today, the only original cast member remaining is Lee Corso. Chris Fowler
Chris Fowler
Chris Fowler is a sports broadcaster for ESPN known best for his work on College GameDay for college football. Since 1989, Fowler has been the primary studio host for college football. Until 2006, he was also the lead studio host for men's college basketball on ESPN...
serves as host and Kirk Herbstreit
Kirk Herbstreit
Kirk Herbstreit is an Emmy Award-winning analyst for ESPN's College GameDay, a television program covering college football and a provider of color commentary during college football games on ESPN and ABC. He appears annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football. He was a quarterback on...
, former Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, serves as Corso's counterpart and foil
Foil (literature)
In fiction, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character in order to highlight particular qualities of another character....
. Starting in 2008, Desmond Howard
Desmond Howard
Desmond Kevin Howard is a former NFL wide receiver, punt returner, and kickoff returner.He played football for the University of Michigan from 1989–1991 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1991...
has been added to the cast in the show's introduction. Craig James, currently providing analysis on ESPN Thursday Night games and on ABC's Saturday afternoon games
College Football on ABC
ESPN College Football on ABC presented by Kay Jewelers is a presentation of the American Broadcasting Company's regular season American college football television package...
, was on the show in the mid 1990s. Nick Lachey
Nick Lachey
Nicholas Scott "Nick" Lachey is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer and television personality. Lachey rose to fame as a member of the boy band 98 Degrees. He later starred in the reality television series Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica with his then-wife, Jessica Simpson. He has released...
joined the crew as a contributor during the 2005 season. Erin Andrews
Erin Andrews
Erin Jill Andrews is an American sportscaster, journalist, and television personality. As of 2011 she is a co-host of the ESPN entertainment show College GameDay and a contributor for Good Morning America on the ABC network...
joined the GameDay crew as a co-host and contributor in 2010.
The show is known for its prediction segment that appears on each broadcast. Typically there are three predictors: Corso, Herbstreit and an invited guest, usually a celebrity
Celebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
, prominent athlete, or radio personality associated with the host university or school for that week. The end of the show always concludes with a catch phrase and prediction from Corso, who subsequently dons the mascot's headgear of the school he predicts to win the game, usually to the ire or excitement of local fans.
As of Season 24 (2010), College GameDay is now aired for 3 hours. The first hour of the show is broadcast from ESPNU
ESPNU
ESPNU is a television channel that specializes in college sports, and is produced by, affiliated with and owned by parent network ESPN. ESPNU originates out of ESPN Regional Television's ESPNU (often referred to as The U) is a television channel that specializes in college sports, and is produced...
at 9am ET, with the 2 remaining hours of the show on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
from 10am-noon ET.
College GameDay kicked off its 25th season from Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
on September 3, 2011.
Personalities
Current
- Chris FowlerChris FowlerChris Fowler is a sports broadcaster for ESPN known best for his work on College GameDay for college football. Since 1989, Fowler has been the primary studio host for college football. Until 2006, he was also the lead studio host for men's college basketball on ESPN...
: (Host, 1990–present) - Lee CorsoLee CorsoLeland "Lee" Corso is a sports broadcaster and football analyst for ESPN. He has been featured on ESPN's College GameDay program since its inception and he appeared annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football through NCAA Football 11...
: (Analyst, 1987–present) - Kirk HerbstreitKirk HerbstreitKirk Herbstreit is an Emmy Award-winning analyst for ESPN's College GameDay, a television program covering college football and a provider of color commentary during college football games on ESPN and ABC. He appears annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football. He was a quarterback on...
: (Analyst, 1996–present) - Desmond HowardDesmond HowardDesmond Kevin Howard is a former NFL wide receiver, punt returner, and kickoff returner.He played football for the University of Michigan from 1989–1991 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1991...
: (Contributor, 2005–present) - Erin AndrewsErin AndrewsErin Jill Andrews is an American sportscaster, journalist, and television personality. As of 2011 she is a co-host of the ESPN entertainment show College GameDay and a contributor for Good Morning America on the ABC network...
: (Contributor, 2010–present) - David PollackDavid Pollack-Injury:In the Bengals' September 17, 2006 game against in-state rival Cleveland Browns, Pollack suffered what was later determined to be a broken sixth cervical vertebrae on a first quarter tackle on running back Reuben Droughns. He reportedly suffered no paralysis, but was taken off the field on...
: (Contributor, 2011–present)
Former
- Larry Burnett:
- Tim BrandoTim BrandoTim Brando is a radio host and CBS Sports studio host and play-by-play announcer.-Biography:...
: (Host, 1987–1988) - Bob CarpenterBob Carpenter (sportscaster)Bob Carpenter is a long-time sportscaster and current television play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's Washington Nationals on MASN.-Biography:Bob Carpenter has been the Washington Nationals broadcaster since 2006....
: (Host, 1989) - Beano CookBeano CookCarroll Hoff "Beano" Cook is an American television personality who works for ESPN. He is a college football historian and commentator. He received his B.A...
: (Analyst, 1987–199?) - Craig James: (Analyst, early 90's–1995)
- Rocket Ismail: (Contributor, 2003–04)
- Nick LacheyNick LacheyNicholas Scott "Nick" Lachey is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer and television personality. Lachey rose to fame as a member of the boy band 98 Degrees. He later starred in the reality television series Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica with his then-wife, Jessica Simpson. He has released...
: (Contributor, 2005)
History
In 19931993 in sports
1993 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Anita Wachter, Austria-American football:...
, GameDay began broadcasting live from outside a stadium hosting a game most Saturdays. The selected stadium is usually hosting one of the biggest matchups of the day, regardless of whether the game airs on an ESPN network. The first show "on the road" took place at South Bend, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana
The city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...
for the match up between #2 Notre Dame and #1 FSU
1993 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 1993 Florida State Seminoles football team was the national champion of the 1993 college football season. The team finished with a 12-1 record.-Regular season:...
. The show takes on a festive tailgate party
Tailgate party
In the United States, a tailgate party is a social event held on and around the open tailgate of a vehicle. Tailgating often involves consuming alcoholic beverages and grilling food. Tailgate parties usually occur in the parking lots at stadiums and arenas, before and occasionally after games and...
atmosphere, as thousands of fans gather behind the broadcast set, in view of the show's cameras. Many fans bring flags or hand-painted signs as well, and the school's cheerleaders and mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
s often join in the celebration. Crowds at GameDay tapings are known to be quite boisterous and very spirited. Flags seen at the broadcast are not limited to those of the home team; for example, one large Washington State
Washington State Cougars
The Washington State Cougars are the athletic teams at Washington State University; the term applies to any of the school's varsity teams. Washington State University is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, which participates in the NCAA Division I...
flag can be seen at every broadcast, regardless of the location or the teams involved. The idea began in 2003 on WSU online fan forums and has resulted in the flag being present at more than 95 consecutive GameDay broadcasts.
The show's current intro and theme music is performed by country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
duo Big & Rich
Big & Rich
Big & Rich is an American country music duo composed of Big Kenny and John Rich. Both members alternate as lead vocalists and play rhythm guitar...
, who perform their 2005
2005 in music
-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:...
crossover
Crossover (music)
Crossover is a term applied to musical works or performers appearing on two or more of the record charts which track differing musical tastes, or genres...
hit "Comin' to Your City" with revised lyrics that mention several top college teams and a guest appearance by Cowboy Troy
Cowboy Troy
Troy Lee Coleman III is an American musician, better known by his stage name Cowboy Troy, who performs country rap. He is a member of the MuzikMafia, an aggregation of country music singer-songwriters whose membership also includes Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson and James Otto...
. Additional music that has been used for the show include "Boom
Boom (P.O.D. song)
"Boom" is the third single off P.O.D.'s second major label studio album Satellite. While it did not chart as well as the album's previous singles, the song has appeared significantly in film and television...
" by the rock group P.O.D.
P.O.D.
Payable on Death is an American Christian metal band formed in 1992. The band's line-up consists of vocalist Sonny Sandoval, drummer Wuv Bernardo, guitarist Marcos Curiel, and bassist Traa Daniels. Their Christian faith is an important part of their music.They have released seven studio albums and...
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
of his predicted winner. Starting with the 2009 season, a celebrity guest picker will give picks for the day's key games alongside the GameDay regulars (such as Bob Knight when GameDay aired from Texas Tech
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
in 2008). Prior to 2009, this was not done on a regular basis.
In past years, when no suitably important game is available, it will originate instead from the ESPN studios. (Herbstreit, who in 2006 became a game analyst for ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's Saturday Night Football, is not allowed to make a pick for the game at which he is assigned due to parent company Disney
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
's conflict of interest
Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation for an act in the other....
rules; however, he is allowed to give one or two keys to the game.)
College GameDay was also a source for many arguments regarding the purported east coast bias
East Coast Bias
East Coast bias is an expression referring to the alleged tendency for sportswriters in the United States and Canada to give greater weight and credibility to teams on the East Coast.-Causes:New York City and Toronto serve as major media hubs...
: From 1993 until 2004, GameDay had only been to two regular season games on the entire West Coast (1998 at UCLA and 2000 at Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
). Given the popularity of the show and the media coverage it brought to the highlighted game, teams and fans of the West Coast teams felt that the show was only magnifying the perceived problems with excess media focus on East, South and Midwest games; ESPN attributed its lack of West Coast games to the need for a very early start time (07:00 AM PST) and an alleged lack of high quality matchups.
With the addition of the Saturday Night Football game on ABC in 2006, GameDay has increasingly aired from that game. This could be done for many reasons including the fact Kirk Herbstreit
Kirk Herbstreit
Kirk Herbstreit is an Emmy Award-winning analyst for ESPN's College GameDay, a television program covering college football and a provider of color commentary during college football games on ESPN and ABC. He appears annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football. He was a quarterback on...
is on both programs, thus making it easier for him. Another reason could be to give the Saturday Night Football game added exposure.
Beginning with the show's 21st season (2007), College GameDay began broadcasting in high-definition
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
on ESPN HD.
College GameDay expanded to 3 hours, with the first hour being televised on ESPNU
ESPNU
ESPNU is a television channel that specializes in college sports, and is produced by, affiliated with and owned by parent network ESPN. ESPNU originates out of ESPN Regional Television's ESPNU (often referred to as The U) is a television channel that specializes in college sports, and is produced...
beginning September 4, 2010. In addition, ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
simulcasts the television version from 9am-noon ET. Other changes include Erin Andrews
Erin Andrews
Erin Jill Andrews is an American sportscaster, journalist, and television personality. As of 2011 she is a co-host of the ESPN entertainment show College GameDay and a contributor for Good Morning America on the ABC network...
being added as a contributor, anchoring several segments during the first hour on ESPNU, and contributing during the ESPN portion. Andrews also works as a sideline reporter on the game from which College GameDay will originate from, if the game airs on 1 of the ESPN family of networks (i.e. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ABC).
Locations
Through the end of the 2010 football and the announced 2011-2012 basketball seasons, 26 schools (Arizona, Boston College, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Kansas State, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, North Carolina State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Tennessee, Texas, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Wisconsin) have hosted College GameDay for both basketball and football events.
Only Texas (08-09 and 05-06), Kansas (07-08), Ohio State (twice in 06-07), and Oklahoma State (04-05) have appeared on both versions of College Gameday in the same season (although LSU and Michigan State hosted both in the 2007 and 2011 calendar years, respectively). Florida State will join this elite group in 2011-2012, as College Gameday visits the Seminoles football game against Oklahoma, and is scheduled to visit on January 14, 2012, when FSU plays host to UNC in basketball.
Notable editions
- August 27, 2000: The BCA Kickoff Classic was canceled due to severe weather. Moments after picking Georgia Tech to win against Virginia Tech, Lee Corso's rental car was struck by lightning. Corso later joked that God was a Hokie fan.
- November 3, 2001: The first time GameDay went to a non-BCS conference venue (Army at Air Force, with a post-9/11 feel).
- November 16, 2002 marked the first time GameDay was broadcast live from an Ivy LeagueIvy LeagueThe Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The conference name is also commonly used to refer to those eight schools as a group...
school as HarvardHarvard UniversityHarvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
played at PennUniversity of PennsylvaniaThe University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. - September 27, 2003: At West PointUnited States Military AcademyThe United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, where most of the broadcast was suspended due to lightning. - October 4, 2003: GameDays visit to TexasUniversity of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
for the Kansas State–Texas game marks the first appearance of the "Coug Flag", as Washington StateWashington State CougarsThe Washington State Cougars are the athletic teams at Washington State University; the term applies to any of the school's varsity teams. Washington State University is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, which participates in the NCAA Division I...
fans begin their ongoing tradition of flying a school flag at every GameDay broadcast. - October 24, 2003: The first time GameDay went to a Mid-American ConferenceMid-American ConferenceThe Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
venue (Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green State UniversityBowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
). Number 23 Bowling GreenBowling Green Falcons footballThe Bowling Green Falcons football team is the interscholastic football team at Bowling Green State University. Bowling Green competes as a member of the Mid-American Conference in the East Division. The Falcons have won ten conference championships....
upset number 12 Northern IllinoisNorthern Illinois Huskies footballThe Northern Illinois Huskies football team represents Northern Illinois University in the Mid-American Conference of the NCAA's Division I-Football Bowl Subdivision.-History:...
in a final of 34-18. - November 26, 2005 marked the first time that GameDay was live from a game involving two historically black colleges and universitiesHistorically Black Colleges and UniversitiesHistorically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community....
(HBCUs) as Southern UniversitySouthern JaguarsThe Southern Jaguars represent Southern University in NCAA intercollegiate athletics.-Conference affiliation:Southern University's athletic teams participate in the Southwestern Athletic Conference which is a part of the NCAA Division I. Football participates in the Football Championship...
played GramblingGrambling State TigersThe Grambling Tigers represent Grambling State University in NCAA intercollegiate athletics. Grambling's sports teams participate in Division I as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference...
in the Bayou ClassicBayou ClassicThe State Farm Bayou Classic is the annual college football game between the Grambling State University Tigers and the Southern University Jaguars, first held under that name in 1974 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, although the series itself actually began in 1936...
in Houston (the game was moved from New Orleans to Houston due to Hurricane KatrinaHurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
). - On November 4, 2006, Chris FowlerChris FowlerChris Fowler is a sports broadcaster for ESPN known best for his work on College GameDay for college football. Since 1989, Fowler has been the primary studio host for college football. Until 2006, he was also the lead studio host for men's college basketball on ESPN...
did not host the show for the first time in 16 years. Rece DavisRece DavisRece Davis is a sports television journalist for ESPN. Davis works as an anchor on SportsCenter, and host of various other programs on the network.-Early life and career:...
, host of College Football FinalCollege Football FinalCollege Football Final is a one hour program totally devoted to college football and airs every Saturday night during the college football season. The official name is College Football Final driven by Pontiac. It was previously named College Gameday Final until 2006...
filled in for him. Fowler was on assignment, hosting ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's coverage of the Breeders' CupBreeders' CupThe Breeders' Cup World Championships is an annual series of Thoroughbred horse races, most but not all Grade I, operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was a single-day event; starting in 2007, it expanded to two days. The location...
from Churchill DownsChurchill DownsChurchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs...
in Louisville, KentuckyLouisville, KentuckyLouisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. - September 1, 2007: GameDay came to Virginia TechVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, popularly known as Virginia Tech , is a public land-grant university with the main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia with other research and educational centers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and internationally.Founded in...
just five months after the Virginia Tech massacreVirginia Tech massacreThe Virginia Tech massacre was a school shooting that took place on April 16, 2007, on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States. In two separate attacks, approximately two hours apart, the perpetrator, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 people...
as a special tribute. - November 10, 2007 marked the first time that GameDay was live from a Div. III location as AmherstAmherst CollegeAmherst College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Amherst is an exclusively undergraduate four-year institution and enrolled 1,744 students in the fall of 2009...
played at WilliamsWilliams CollegeWilliams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
. - November 24, 2007: College Gameday was at Kansas CityKansas City, MissouriKansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
's Arrowhead StadiumArrowhead StadiumArrowhead Stadium is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri and home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs....
for the 116th edition2007 Missouri vs. Kansas football gameThe 2007 Missouri vs. Kansas football game was a college football game held in Kansas City, Missouri between the Kansas Jayhawks and Missouri Tigers, two Big 12 teams that have shared a long and bitter rivalry against each other...
of the Border War, the nations oldest rivalry "West of the Mississippi (River)" as the 10-1 and 4th ranked Missouri Tigers2007 Missouri Tigers football teamThe 2007 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri in college football's 2007 season. The team was coached by Gary Pinkel and played their home games at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium....
faced the 11-0 and 2nd ranked Kansas Jayhawks2007 Kansas Jayhawks football teamThe 2007 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas for the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision intercollegiate football season of 2007-2008...
with a potential #1 BCS ranking on the line, the first for both schools. Missouri opened a 28-7 lead into the 4th quarter, then the Jayhawks fought back making the score 34-28, but Kansas quarterback Todd ReesingTodd ReesingTodd Reesing is a former starting quarterback for the Kansas Jayhawks.- High school career:Reesing attended Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas and was a good student and a letterman in football and baseball. In football, Reesing was named the Texas 4A Player of the Year as a junior...
was sacked in the end zone with under a minute to play, and The Tigers went on to win 36-28. - April 12, 2008: GameDay went on location at their first spring football game, 'The Orange & Blue Debut' at FloridaFlorida Gators footballThe Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference...
. - The November 15, 2008 broadcast at Florida A&M was the first time GameDay originated from an HBCU.
- October 3, 2009 GameDay was at the Florida State2009 Florida State Seminoles football teamThe 2009 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University during the 2009 college football season. The Seminoles were led by 34th year head coach Bobby Bowden...
vs Boston College2009 Boston College Eagles football teamThe 2009 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College in the 2009 season as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Eagles were led by first-year head coach Frank Spaziani. He replaced Jeff Jagodzinski who was fired after the 2008 season...
game to pay tribute to Mark HerzlichMark HerzlichSandon Mark Herzlich, Jr. is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2011...
, a BC player who was diagnosed with cancer. - November 7, 2009 paid tribute to the troops by attending the Army2009 Army Black Knights football teamThe 2009 Army Black Knights football team represented the United States Military Academy in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2009 season. Army competed as an Independent, with no conference affiliation and were led by...
-Air Force2009 Air Force Falcons football teamThe 2009 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Air Force competed as a member of the Mountain West Conference. The Falcons were coached by third-year head coach Troy Calhoun...
game. - October 23, 2010, a GameDay attendance record was set in Columbia, MissouriColumbia, MissouriColumbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
at the University of MissouriUniversity of MissouriThe University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
; ESPN estimated over 18,000 fans turned out on David R. Francis QuadrangleDavid R. Francis QuadrangleDavid R. Francis Quadrangle is the historical center of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. It is named after Missouri governor David R. Francis, and is often simply called "The Quad." Within the quad are two of the most recognizable symbols of the school, Jesse Hall and The Columns...
. - November 19, 2011, The first time GameDay came to a Conference USA venue (University of HoustonUniversity of HoustonThe University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
). The number 11 Houston Cougars2011 Houston Cougars football teamThe 2011 Houston Cougars football team represents the University of Houston in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It is the 66th year of season play for Houston...
played SMU2011 SMU Mustangs football teamThe 2011 SMU Mustangs football team represents Southern Methodist University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mustangs are led by fourth year head coach June Jones and play their home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium...
.
20th Anniversary memorable moments
During the 2006 season, as part of College GameDays 20th year anniversary, they brought back some of the most unforgettable moments in the show's history. Some of the clips include:- College GameDay Hits the Road: On November 13, 1993, College GameDay hits the road, after six years in the studio, to see the #2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish take on the #1 Florida State Seminoles1993 Florida State Seminoles football teamThe 1993 Florida State Seminoles football team was the national champion of the 1993 college football season. The team finished with a 12-1 record.-Regular season:...
in "The Game of the Century"1993 Florida State vs. Notre Dame football gameThe 1993 Florida State vs. Notre Dame Game was a regular season college football game between the unbeaten Florida State Seminoles , and the unbeaten Notre Dame Fighting Irish . The game took place at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana on the campus of the University of Notre Dame...
. Lee CorsoLee CorsoLeland "Lee" Corso is a sports broadcaster and football analyst for ESPN. He has been featured on ESPN's College GameDay program since its inception and he appeared annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football through NCAA Football 11...
picks Florida State 31-30, but the end result was Notre Dame 31–24. - Herbstreit Joins GameDay: On August 31, 1996, former Ohio State BuckeyesOhio State Buckeyes footballThe Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
quarterback Kirk HerbstreitKirk HerbstreitKirk Herbstreit is an Emmy Award-winning analyst for ESPN's College GameDay, a television program covering college football and a provider of color commentary during college football games on ESPN and ABC. He appears annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football. He was a quarterback on...
joined the College GameDay crew, to complete the cast that hasn't changed since. - Corso's First Mascot Head: On October 5, 1996, a tradition starts when Lee CorsoLee CorsoLeland "Lee" Corso is a sports broadcaster and football analyst for ESPN. He has been featured on ESPN's College GameDay program since its inception and he appeared annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football through NCAA Football 11...
picks Ohio State to beat Penn StatePenn State Nittany Lions footballThe Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
by sporting a facsimile of Brutus BuckeyeBrutus BuckeyeBrutus Buckeye is the athletics mascot of The Ohio State University. Brutus is a student dressed in Buckeye colors with a headpiece resembling an Ohio Buckeye nut. Brutus has appeared since 1965, with periodic updates to design and wardrobe...
's mascot head. Since that day, every College GameDay has ended with Corso sporting the team's headgear, usually a mascot head (eventually shifting to official mascot heads provided by the university) or another headpiece when a team does not have a suited mascot, such as a Trojan-style helmet for USC or the signature winged helmet of Michigan. For the game between HarvardHarvard Crimson footballThe Harvard Crimson football program represents Harvard University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision . Harvard's football program is one of the oldest in the world, having begun competing in the sport in 1873...
and PennPenn Quakers footballThe Penn Quakers football team is the college football team at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. The Penn Quakers have competed in the Ivy League since its inaugural season of 1956, and are currently a Division I Football Championship Subdivision member of the National...
that GameDay did in 2002, Corso dressed as Benjamin FranklinBenjamin FranklinDr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
and in 2011 he dressed as a Tree to pick Stanford2011 Stanford Cardinal football teamThe 2011 Stanford Cardinal football team represents Stanford University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Cardinal is led by former offensive coordinator and new head coach David Shaw, as Jim Harbaugh departed following the 2010 season in order to become the head coach of...
.
Spin-offs
- College GameDay (basketball)College GameDay (basketball)College GameDay is an ESPN program that covers college basketball and is a spin-off of the successful college football version. Since debuting on January 22, 2005, it airs on ESPN Saturdays in the college basketball season at 11am ET and 8pm ET at a different game site each week...
(2005–present) - ESPN Radio College GameDayESPN Radio College GameDayESPN Radio College Gameday is a day-long talk radio show on ESPN Radio covering the day's college football games. It is heard every Saturday during the season from noon until 7 p.m. ET. Some programs originate from the ESPN studios in Bristol, Connecticut; others are on location from game sites,...
(2000–present)
Occupy GameDay controversy
On September 24, 2011, special guest West Virginia head basketball coach Bob HugginsBob Huggins
Bob Huggins, nicknamed "Huggy Bear", is the head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team. Huggins previously held the head coaching positions at the University of Cincinnati and Kansas State University...
made a reference to the oversized head cutout of former ESPN broadcaster (and current host of a well-listened-to national radio show) Dan Patrick
Dan Patrick
Daniel Patrick Pugh , professionally known as Dan Patrick, is an American sportscaster, radio personality, and actor from Mason, Ohio...
that was visible within the crowd behind the broadcast set. Host Chris Fowler proceeded to laugh nervously then quickly change the subject, as Dan Patrick has been involved in an ongoing dispute with ESPN since leaving the network. Following the College GameDay broadcast of Texas vs. Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl
Cotton Bowl (stadium)
The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,...
two weeks later, Patrick reported on his radio show that fans had been turned away by security if they had signs or cutouts that featured obvious references to him or The Dan Patrick Show. Despite these restrictions, attendees in Dallas were able to bring in a sign that read "Chris in Syracuse", a reference to a listener who calls into the show daily. Patrick has dubbed the movement "Occupy GameDay" - after the Occupy Wall Street
Occupy Wall Street
Occupy Wall Street is an ongoing series of demonstrations initiated by the Canadian activist group Adbusters which began September 17, 2011 in Zuccotti Park, located in New York City's Wall Street financial district...
protests that have spread across the nation in recent weeks, and claims that he and the Danettes "do not encourage it, but we do celebrate it." Occupy Gameday is still ongoing as of November 26, 2011 and some "occupy gameday" signs are hanging in Patrick's Mancave, where his radio show is produced in Milford, Connecticut.
External links
- http://www.stevesams.com/ESPN.htm ESPN College GameDay Information (compiled with help from ESPN research staff & school SIDs)